The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-20
MY COUSIN BILL.
BY DAISY MURDOCH.

had stayed there and worked the 1arm,
and been al! in all to grandmother and
the rest, while had grown to be fine
gentleman in the city-vcry fine in my
own estimation at least. And we wero
walkin together along the green lane
between fvc-acre meadow and the Or
chard, when wo heard scream.
"Gracious," cried Cousin Bill. ''That's
hcr. I know her voice. She's got
frightened by the cows again. Hellol
I'm herel Pm coming! Don't stir! Up
on the fence. know" he aided to me
in confidential tones, 'and right among
The brambles."
'Who on earth is afraid of COWS in
this place2' asked.
But Bill was gone. and in n few mo-
nents returned with pretty girl on his
arm. The wind had blown her hair
about, and the brambles had torn her
muslin dress, but there. was an air about
her did not expect.
Miss Mason, Cousin Henry, said Bill.
'NIr. Hunter, perhaps. ought to say y;
but hope you'll bc Lilly to him and
he Henry to you, after while. He's a
great favoritc of mine, Lilly, and has got
to be a wonderful lawyer in London.
En-, old boya"
Miss Mason said few gay words to
me, and VIC walked home together. She
kept his arm, and they were evidently
engaged, aud felt as though there
could be nothing more unsuitable. A
city lodgcr of my aunt's, I supposed, for
she was very elegant. However, 1 found
out after a while that she was only the
schoolmistrcss. Her father had been one
of !hose rich men who fail and leave
their children penniless. And she had
had every advantage. Now she bore her
reverscs with dignity and sweetness.
Perhaps the fact that Cousin Bill had
plenty Of money had caused her to en- =
gage herself to him. l could think Of
no other reason except that she had not
yet met me.
To my taste she was the prctticst girl
I ever saw, and felt that Bill stood be-
tween me and my happiness. B:sides
being beauty, she was accomplished,
this girl. She sang, painted, danced.
She woull have made suitable wife for
the eminent law hoped to be-for n
judge, if I came to that. She was thrown
away on plain farmer. And there
upon 1 began to say to myself, 'If tried,
! 1 might cut Bill out even yet. IfIdo,
so much the better"
And, with this for my motive, I stayed
at the hospitablc farm for weeks, and
Bill and his good mother never guessed
what 1 was at.
At last 1 was obliged to 60 back to
the city. How far had succeeded with
Lilly Mason I did not know; but was
resolved to put it to the test before /
went.
And on the last evcning-Bill having
vanished somehow contrived to get
his sweetheart to go with me into that
very lane behind the orchard where he
had introduced US, and there, in the
twilight, told her all l felt.
81 love you, Lilly" said. ''Do you
love mc 2"
For answer, she burst into tears.
my darling, why do you wecp9'
asked.
She sobbcd violently.
Don't ask me-" she said. "Leavc
me. Never speak to me again. am
engaged to your cousin, to Mr.. Whcatly.
Did you not guess as much7'
"If did," I answered, 81 did not
feel that that should prevent me from
speaking. 1t IS most unsuitable match.
You arc throwing yourself away. l cal
plsc; you in q position more suitable to
you. You could help me to fight my
way upward. I believe you like me.
Can you say you do not2'
Lilly turned her face away.
"Do not talk CT liking" he said.
My word is pledgcd-my promise
given. If I have forgotten it sometimes,
1 remember it now. William Is very
good to inc. I will marry him. At least
shall learn to love him. Go; forget
me. I will forget you. I viii! do my
J duty.
What next I should have said I do
not know. A voice fell between lis
from over the stone fence against which
l lcant. On the other side stood my
cousin Wheatly, tall and pale rs ghost ;